State of Illinois Archives: on Gun Control

Senator Harris co-sponsored legislation SB1313: Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that a person shall not carry a concealed firearm onto private real property of any type without prior permission
from the property owner. Provides that a real property owner shall indicate permission to carry concealed firearms onto the property by clearly and conspicuously posting a sign at the entrance of a building, premises,
or real property under his or her control, except this posting is not required if the property is a private residence.
Provides that the sign shall be at least 4 inches by 6 inches in size (rather than exactly that size). Effective immediately.

Source: VoteSmart synopsis of 2015-2016 Illinois voting record

Napoleon Harris:
Ban 3D-printed handguns for personal use

Senator Harris co-sponsored legislation SB1379: Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of unlawful use of a three-dimensional printer to create a firearm. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly
uses a three-dimensional printer to create a fully functioning firearm. Adds exemptions for:

a person who possesses a license to manufacture firearms under the federal Gun Control Act of 1968;

a person who is actually engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling any piece or part of a firearm, but only with respect to the activities which are within the lawful scope of that business; or

a person who uses a three-dimensional
printer to create a prototype of a firearm.

Adds definitions of "prototype" and "three-dimensional printer". Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor.

Source: VoteSmart synopsis of 2015-2016 Illinois voting record

J.B. Pritzker:
Supports 2nd Amendment AND the fight for gun safety

[On gun rights, Pritzker] admitted that his perspective on guns was colored by his suburban upbringing, and said conversations with his wife--raised in rural South Dakota--helped awaken his understanding of their importance for self-defense.
Pritzker said he's a Second Amendment supporter who believes "there are things we can do to fight for gun safety."

Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Common-sense gun laws, plus fund gun research

Raja supports common-sense gun laws to keep guns out of the wrong hands and reduce the epidemic of mass shootings that are occurring across the U.S. Among the measures he supports are closing the "gun-show loophole" by extending background
checks for gun purchases to gun shows; reinstating the expired federal ban on assault weapons; and improving the reporting system to help keep guns out of the hands of terrorists, convicted felons, and those with severe mental illnesses.
Raja would also allow the government to fund research on gun deaths and gun safety.
Too many young people are dying from an epidemic of gun violence, and we must do what we can do protect the public from guns in the hands of those who would seek to do harm.

Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Expanded real-time background checks

The challenge to our nation is to respond to the threat of international terrorism without sacrificing American values. Here at home, Raja knows we must redouble our efforts to identify and stop those individuals who have been radicalized and intend
to commit terrorist acts. That starts with keeping weapons out of their hands through expanded background checks that work in real time, as well as banning the purchase or possession of guns by individuals on the no-fly, terrorist watch list.

Mike Bost:
Right to bear arms must be preserved and defended

Guaranteeing 2nd Amendment Rights: We have a constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms and it must be preserved and defended at all levels of government.
Just as he has done as a member of the Illinois legislator, Mike will be a strong advocate for the 2nd Amendment.

Sharon Hansen:
Opposes more gun restrictions

Sharon Hansen:
Don't bow down to money instead of our rights

Both Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk refused to join 50 US Senators that signed a letter last week opposing ratification of the UN Arms Trade Treaty. In order for this treaty to be ratified, it would need 60 of the 100 votes in the Senate.
Those signing onto the letter include every Republican senator but Senator Kirk.

This fall, the Obama administration signed the UN Arms Trade Treaty, which would effectively undermine 2nd Amendment rights, place international law on a pedestal
above the US Constitution and encourage the creation of a national gun registry.

Sharon Hansen commented: I am challenging Durbin in 2014. I won't run as a Democrat or a Republican. Both parties are dirty. I'm running as a Libertarian. If I don't win
against Durbin, I'll run in 2016 against Kirk, unless another Libertarian wants to run. We have to get these people out who bow down to money instead of the rights of the people given to us by our Creator and our Constitution.

Source: Illinois Review on 2014 Illinois Senate race
Oct 22, 2013

Pat Quinn:
Comprehensive plan for gun safety & violence prevention

Last December, our hearts broke along with the parents of the children who died in the horrific massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah wept day and night for the slain of his people. But as elected officials, we're
in a position to do something about it. We must move forward with a comprehensive plan that includes gun safety legislation, mental health care, and violence prevention strategies.

We must prohibit the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity
ammunition magazines in Illinois.

Of course, we must abide with the second amendment. But there is no place in our state for military-style assault weapons designed for rapid fire at human targets at close range.

We must ensure that guns are kept
out of everyday public places, because guns don't belong in our schools, shopping malls, or sports stadiums.

We must empower our law enforcement to keep guns from falling into the wrong hands. That means we need reliable mental health records.

Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Illinois Legislature
Feb 6, 2013

Alan Keyes:
Gun control mentality means crooks have all the guns

KEYES: I am a strong believer in the second amendment. The gun control mentality is ruthlessly absurd. It suggests that we should pass a law that prevents law abiding citizens from carrying weapons. You end up with a situation where the crooks
have all the guns and the law abiding citizens cannot defend themselves. I guess thatís good enough for Senator Obama who voted against the bill that would have allowed homeowners to defend themselves if their homes were broken into.

OBAMA: Letís be honest. Mr. Keyes does not believe in common gun control measures like the assault weapons bill. Mr. Keyes does not believe in any limits from what I can tell with respect to the possession of guns,
including assault weapons that have only one purpose, to kill people. I think it is a scandal that this president did not authorize a renewal of the assault weapons ban.

Barack Obama:
Bush erred in failing to renew assault weapons ban

KEYES: [to Obama]: I am a strong believer in the second amendment. The gun control mentality is ruthlessly absurd. It suggests that we should pass a law that prevents law abiding citizens from carrying weapons. You end up with a situation where the crook
have all the guns and the law abiding citizens cannot defend themselves. I guess thatís good enough for Senator Obama who voted against the bill that would have allowed homeowners to defend themselves if their homes were broken into.

OBAMA: Letís be honest. Mr. Keyes does not believe in common gun control measures like the assault weapons bill. Mr. Keyes does not believe in any limits from what I can tell with respect to the possession of guns,
including assault weapons that have only one purpose, to kill people. I think it is a scandal that this president did not authorize a renewal of the assault weapons ban.